Alabama Restaurant Association

Lawrence M. Fidel, IOM CAE - President & CEO 334-244-1320 Larry Fidel has over 25 years of Association Management experience, working with such organizations as the National Restaurant Association and the New Jersey Restaurant Association before coming to Alabama. He has also worked in the hospitality industry, having worked with Quality Inns (Choice Hotels) as both a field rep and Manager of Franchise Services.

Pamela Chieppa - Director Membership Services 334-244-1320 As the Director of Membership Services, Pamela is instrumental in recruiting new products and services for members of both ARA and AHA. She coordinates and conducts chapter meetings and chapter board meetings, maintains the website and database and produces various marketing material. Pamela has over 25 years combined experience in business management, sales and marketing. Formerly the Assistant to the President of The Comfort Group of Alabama, CAD Systems Administrator for Rehau Industries, AP Manager and Government sales for GMS and an Assistant Vice President / Internal Operations Coordinator for Dominion Federal Savings.

Layne Lunn - Director of Communications and Education As the Director of Communications and Education, Layne is constantly striving to make the food service industry in the State of Alabama one of the safest in the nation. She coordinates and will soon begin conducting ServSafe classes throughout the state. With Food Safety Certification becoming mandatory on January 1, 2010, Layne plans on keeping busy for the next 2 years by certifying as many food service employees as is possible before the deadline. Layne has almost 10 years in association experience. She spent 7 years with the Alabama Restaurant Association where she wore many hats. As Managing Editor of the Alabama Cattlemen's magazine, she designed, wrote and sold advertising for the monthly magazine that went out to over 16,000 members. Layne also gave a helping hand in public relations, marketing, and allied industry relations. Layne is a Troy University graduate with a Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business.

Jennifer Price - Membership Services Coordinator Jennifer Price is our Membership Services Coordinator, she acts as a liaison between our local chapters and the state office. He main priority is assisting the local chapters in organization and event management. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Alabama where she majored in Public Relations, and she is currently working on her M.B.A. at AUM. Before joining us Jennifer interned with the City of Prattville for the Special and Cultural events department.

Kirsten Squires - Web/E-Communications Support Kirsten's responsibilities include maintaining and developing the AHA/ARA websites, designing the e-newsletters each month, and working with the online database. She has a B.A. and M.A .from the University of Alabama, majoring in English and minoring in Communications. Prior to working with ARA, Kirsten worked in editing for an internet search engine company.

Velda J. Ziegler-Acevedo - Administrative Assistant 334-244-1320 Velda handles membership services, database information, and administrative duties for ARA and AHA. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Office Administration from Fort Hays State University, 1987. She moved to Montgomery in 2003 with her husband, Carlos, from El Paso, TX, where she worked as Accounting Dept Secretary at Providence Memorial Hospital. She also worked at JC Penney Headquarters in Plano, TX, in both the Women's and Non-Resale Purchasing departments in administrative/support positions.